Faith Lutheran Church
Bellingham, Washington
A "Reconciling in Christ" Congregation of the ELCA. |
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Photo by Maegan Hay Imaging |
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God is alive! May your lives be filled with resurrection wonder!
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Summer Program Reminder
Pentecost is Sunday, June 12, 2011, and it will be a special service honoring graduates and other volunteers. It will also conclude the program year for Sunday School for all ages. Stay tuned for special summer program opportunities for kids, teens, and adults! |
It's BBQ time!
Join us Wednesday evenings throughout the summer for a meal off the grill, followed by a simple prayer service. Our first BBQ is June 1, 2011!!
Dinner @ 6:00 pm
Prayer Service @ 6:45 pm
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Embracing Change!!
As you enter the church in coming weeks, you may see changes happening to the worship space! New carpet is being installed in the sanctuary. The altar platform in the front of the sanctuary is being extended and updated with electrical outlets, etc. The work on the stained glass window area will be moving forward soon!
Please be patient and watch your step! Things may have been rearranged a bit. The changes are long-needed and very exciting, and we thank you for the support that makes it all possible!
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Thank You from Faith Quilters
On behalf of the Faith Lutheran Quilters, we want to thank the congregation for their support of the Silent Auction of Quilts during the coffee hour following the service on March 20, 2011. The winning bidders for quilts were: Wayne Erickson, Dick Clark, Liz Herseth, and Renee Pederson. We collected a total of $443.00 in donations and quilts bids!! These funds will buy more supplies to make more quilts. Our quilting group consists of seven ladies, and this year we have made and donated 143 quilts, lap robes, and children's blankets to local charities, including: The Red Cross, Opportunity Council, YWCA, Lydia Place, Dorothy Place, Women's Shelter, nursing homes (St. Francis, Shuksan, Alderwood, Evergreen), and Faith members: Ruth Lumbert, Betty Parker, and June Christenson. The quilters extend a big THANK YOU for all of your support!
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Upcoming Dates to Note:
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Parish Life Meeting
Thurs, June 2, 2011
9:00 am
Women's Bible Study & Potluck
Thurs, June 2, 2011
6:30-9:00pm
Daytime Bible Study
Every Tuesday
12:30-1:30pm
Facilitated by Renee King
Finance Committee Meeting
Wed, June 8, 2011
5:00pm
Education Committee Meeting
Wed, June 8, 2011
7:15 pm
following dinner & service
Pentecost Sunday & Blessing of the Community Garden
Sun, June 12, 2011
Last Day of Sunday School for Spring
Sun, June 12, 2011
Parish Council Meeting
Mon, June 13, 2011
6:30 pm
Worship Committee Meeting
Tues, June 14, 2011
5:30pm
High School Youth Trip to Oregon Coast
June 25-29
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News from Interfaith Coalition
Maintenance projects need volunteers
Interfaith Coalition relies on volunteers to maintain our nine units of housing, which provide shelter and case-management support to local families who are homeless. There are many opportunities for volunteers to keep our houses in tiptop shape. We're developing a list of volunteers we can call on for occasional help. There are opportunities for individuals as well as groups. We also can use assistance with occasional plumbing, electrical, drywall and general carpentry jobs.
Listed below are projects that we're hoping to complete this spring and summer:
Painting:
Exterior trim, porch and siding painting
Interior painting projects
Plumbing & Electrical
Basic plumbing and electrical repairs
Light carpentry/maintenance
Fence and siding repairs
Gutters cleaned and repaired
Refinishing woodwork
Bathroom remodel
Yard work and transportation
Weeding the yards at all properties
Truck and driver available to pick up and deliver furniture
To volunteer or for more information, call Interfaith Coalition at 734-3983 or email info@interfaith-coalition.org.
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Upcoming Food Drive:
June 19, 2011
Please bring items from list and donation checks to the church; checks can be made out to Faith Lutheran Church (Memo: Food Bank).
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Suggested Reading for Faith & Life
By Pastor Gary Grafwallner
Simple Ways Toward the Sacred, by Gunilla Norris, Blue Ridge Books.
A beautifully written book on prayer, meditation, and mindful living, that focuses on seeking the holy in everyday life.
Life is Hard, But God is Good, by Adele Gonzalez, Orbis Books.
An excellent teacher speaks to perennial questions about God, suffering, and evil.
Introducing the Quran, by John Kaltner, Fortress Press.
A readable, balanced introduction to the theology of the Quran. It presents a balanced approach with study questions and covers such topics as creation, the family, sexuality, religious diversity, violence, war, and the hereafter.
The Soul of Money, by Lynne Twist, WW Norton Press.
A personal & faith reflection on the role of money in our lives, and the myths of scarcity & abundance, and growing in generosity by a woman who's raised $150,000,000.
Who We Are Is How We Pray, by Charles Keating, Twenty Third Publications.
The 16 personality types of Myers-Briggs personality profile are matched to a suitable form & style of praying.
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Faith Community Garden
Faith's Community Garden Mission Statement:
Believing in the essential goodness of the earth, Faith Lutheran Church's Community Garden Project aims to promote stewardship, foster community, and address local hunger by offering garden space for our neighbors, the greater community, and members of the church.
The community garden project continues to take shape--twelve raised beds are in, the fence is on its way to completion, and folks who have applied for garden space have been notified and are starting to plant!
The garden committee has a list of chores for volunteers, if you are interested in chipping in. For all questions or volunteer assignments, contact:
communitygarden@faithbellingham.org
Find the garden on Facebook!
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Music at Faith
The adult choir recently presented several anthms during the worship on May 22, 2011 for the Celebration of the Stewardship of Creation, which concluded the spring choir season. Renee King, Faith's Music Director, is grateful for the participation of all adult and chime choir members throughout the year! Thank you! Your leadership in music is a blessing to the congregation. If you are interested in joining the choir in the fall, in participating in special musical offerings during the summer, or in joining the chime choir...
Please contact Renee King, Music Director, about Faith's music opportunities @ renee.king@faithbellingham.org |
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Children's Program
We are blessed here at Faith to have a vibrant and truly unique group of kids! For the past year, we have introduced the program Godly Play to the children, a curriculum based on storytelling and practicing the act of wondering! As spring program comes to an end, we take a break for the summer from Sunday morning education for all ages (last Sunday on Pentecost, June 12, 2011). We would like to thank all of the families at Faith for embarking on the Godly Play journey with us this year! It has truly been exciting. We would also like to thank the volunteers who put countless hours into preparing the stories, attending trainings, acting as storytellers and doorkeepers!
For any adult volunteers interested in training for continued future involvment in the Godly Play program and curriculum, an official core-training is available this August here in Bellingham! Please contact Jessie Twigg-Harris if you are interested.
Stay tuned for announcements about events and special program for kids and families in the coming summer months!!
The following images of children at Faith are provided by Maegan Hay Imaging.
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How To Get Your Family To Church
On Sunday Morning
From The Lutheran Handbook on Marriage, Augsburg Fortress
Rounding up family members and moving them from home to pew requires different tools on different Sundays. Maintain flexibility in your struggle. Be proactive.
1. Shift into battle mode prior to Sunday morning.
Obstacles may include Sunday morning cartoons, stubbornness, fatigue from Saturday evening activities, slow chewing at breakfast, and so on.
2. Approach the problem as a team whenever possible.
In cases where two parents live in the household, both must support the decision to attend church regularly. Work it out together prior to Sunday morning. Remember, the family is not a democracy.
3. Make as many preparations as possible in advance.
Pre-select church clothes after checking the next day's forecast. Include matching dress socks and clean underwear. Plan a quick breakfast. Set multiple alarm clocks equipped with battery backup in case of power outages.
4. Preempt stomachaches, headaches, and other "illnesses."
If a miraculous recovery following church appears imminent, make it clear that whatever illness and subsequent treatment comes for the morning, stays through the day.
5. Make church an ironclad routine.
"It's a church night," easily replaces, "It's a school night."
6. Know the law: "Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy.
Relaxing, fishing, becoming one with nature, and washing the car do not count as keeping the Sabbath. It's a Commandment; look it up.
7. Pray for help. Miracles do happen.
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Middle & High School Youth
Recently Faith's High School Youth went to Holden Village to attend May Youth Weekend! We had a group of 8 youth (including 2 adoptees from Hope in Lynden), and the weekend was great! Between late night card games, a talent show involving all youth wearing tutus, and scary night hike, relationship-building, and dialogue on the the weekend theme of "prayer," it was a full weekend! Thank you for your support and prayers for a safe journey!
Youth Program & Events:
Middle & High School Youth Night Every Wednesday 7:30-9:15pm
(Combined youth night will continue through summer months.)
HS Oregon Coast Trip June 25-June 29 High School Only
Fundraising
In preparation for upcoming trips and events, Faith Youth are fundraising still fundraising! Support the kids; support the program here at Faith!
Peace gear is available through Jessie in the office and after services in the social hall.
Peace Shirts New Colors $20 New Peace Flag Tote Bags $22 Peace Flag Onesies $15
Adult Peace Shirts (NEW COLORS!) $20
Kids Peace Shirts $15
Peace Flag Baby Onesies 15
Peace Flag Tote Bags $22
Shipping is available. Please email for more details!
Contact Jessie Twigg-Harris with questions:
jessie.twigg-harris@faithbellingham.org
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Adult Education Opportunities
Sunday Morning Adult Education
8:45 am
Every Week through June 12, 2011.
No Sunday School through the summer.
Mid-Week Bible Study
12:30 - 1:30 pm
Every Week
Facilitated by Renee King
Women's Bible Study & Potluck
Thurs, June 2, 2011, 6:30-9:00 pm
All women invited. Discussion on the Easter/Ascension narratives.
Facilitated by Pastor Sharon.
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A Note From the Pastor
By Pastor Sharon Swanson
Brothers and Sisters, Christ is risen!
Change is happening all over the church. New life is everywhere.
After the Sundays of Easter, Ascension Day comes mid-week (June 2, actually--although we will celebrate the festival on Wednesday evening, June 1, 2011) with a service of Holy Communion. On this day the Risen Christ ascends into heaven and his followers are told to wait--assured that the Spirit will come and empower them to be Jesus' witnesses throughout the earth.
Although the disciples were told not to gaze up into the heaven to look for Jesus, much of the traditional art depicting the Ascension has the rather humorous image of them staring heavenwards at a pair of rapidly disappearing feet!
After the Ascension, the disciples gather to wait for the Holy Spirit to come among them as the power of God that heals, forgives, inspirtes and unites. We celebrate Pentecost on June 12, 2011, as the birthday of the Christian Church.
The Spirit is afoot in this parish! Lots of interesting things are happening: the Faith Community Garden is underway (some beds are even planted!); the sanctuary has new carpet; the altar platform is being extended and new wiring installed. Many of you contributed to help make the repairs to the stained glass window a reality.
May the garden provide food for the hungry and a place for neighbors to gather, and the improvements to the worship space help to make Faith a hospitable and inviting place for all who come here. But always remember that the church is the people!
And just as the disciples were told, it won't help us to gaze upwards for Jesus either. He's right here among us as we proclaim the Word and share the Easter feast. We might, however, pray for the Holy Spirit to enliven our faith and invigorate our mission.
(Remember to wear red on Pentecost!)
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Sharon
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